What do I teach dd about skin care?

[CeliaFate]

Dd has started developing blackheads and under the skin spots. Is cleanse, tone and moisturise applicable at this age (11, nearly)? What should I teach her apart from keep her hands clean, avoid touching her face and wash twice a day? Any good products for young skin? Is a face pack necessary at this age? She's not a beauty product mad girl, prefers her Sylvanian families still, so I think it may be an uphill battle!
TIA

Face packs are never necessary, I don't think.

I'd get her some teen-friendly facial cleanser, the shower-gel type stuff. Tiny Clanger uses a Nivea one at the moment.
Also, if she doesn't seem bothered by it, don't make a big fuss and make her self-conscious about her skin. We all get blackheads, they're not the end of the world.

When I was about this age I started to get similar skin ishoos, as I began to get greasy. My mother had a face steamer and used to let me 'play' with it (i.e. use it under supervision). I was always fascinated by being able to wipe black dirt off my face with cotton wool after steaming, while not really clocking it as 'skincare'. Maybe someone has one you could borrow to try?

Also, don't get her started on anything too harsh - I used clinique from about 12/13, and it was way too harsh for my skin, with hindsight.

I think most teen skin cleansers are horribly harsh. I'd use something as simple as possible. I wouldn't worry about face masks and I'd never use a cleanser.

What about oil cleansing method? Or something from the simple/nivea/boots botanicals range? Or even dermologica.

Most importantly teach her the importance of cleansing at night, taking make up off (in the future obviously) and sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen.

I think DD's Nivea stuff is quite gentle. When I said "teen friendly" I just meant something that wasn't a nasty medical-looking bottle of medicated gel, or had "anti-ageing" written on it.

I bought my dd (almost 12) the basics from the simple range, they're good not too harsh on skin and bank balance. Was tempted to have a lovely mother daughter bonding session at the clarins counter, but then had a serious word with myself mentioning the words rod and own back.

Skin wipes are good at this age too as dd is lazy busy.

I second the oil cleansing method. Perhaps for acne prone skin some Hazel nut oil?

I use the ocm every night - massage in,then wipe off with a face cloth (your daughter should not do it too harshly though). I find the OCM much less hassle than normal cleaner and cotton pads etc, and I was a Lancome girl for years and years. Love the smell of their cleanser but the OCM is so much better for your skin.

Over the counter remedies are full of chemicals and dry out your skin (i remember using clerasil years ago and i always had a flakey forehead - yuk)

i remember my mum getting me some Anne French lotion at about that age and I used that for years. It always felt nice and fresh, smelt nice and didn't do anything horrible to my (ridiculously sensitive) skin. i also only used water to wash my face with - no washes or soaps, was they would dry my skin out.

Clarins are launching a skincare range for teens. Starts at £10 deffinatly worth going in and asking. It's fantastic

Don't pick. Don't pick. Use a clean flannel gently every day with a very very gentle facewash, or a bit of cold cream or tiny bit of oil (i.e OCM!). Don't obsess. If she gets proper spots - to the doctor early and consider a dermatologist early before scarring of face/psyche.
Later on - Do pluck (brows). Laser elsewhere if hairy. Wear sunscreen factor 50 (Boots own is good).

One of my strongest memories of my teens is of going to the Clarins counter with my mum to be kitted out with Gentle Foaming Cleanser, Creme Lotus and Huile Lotus for night. I can still smell them if I close my eyes! I will definately do the same with dd.

Nutrogena is great for spot-prone skin and more budget friendly

Anne French takes me back pissovski! I can still smell it. Can you still buy it?

Things I wish my mother would have told me:

Always cleanse, tone, moisturize
Never put perfume on a spot to dry it out - actually makes mine spread
Always carry face wipes especially after PE
Don't start wearing make-up too early ad they can take the nutrients away from your skin
I have always swore blind on filling up my bathroom sink with cold water and then dunking my face in there for a good couple of minutes (coming up to breathe of course) and I never had spots until I was allowed to wear make-up at 16

Gentle cleanser - Simple, Nivea, Cetaphil
Don't bother with toner.

Light moisturiser with SPF

Sorry in my post I should have written never use a toner not cleanser!

Salty - i think superdrug still sell it!

Brilliant ideas, thanks ladies!